Barbora Krejcikova advanced to her first Wimbledon semifinal after defeating Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4), showcasing resilience after a challenging season marred by injury and illness. The 28-year-old Czech, seeded 31st, capitalized on Ostapenko's 35 unforced errors to secure the win and set up a semifinal clash with 2022 champion Elena Rybakina.
Reflecting on her triumph, Krejcikova expressed joy and relief, stating, "I told myself that I'm going to leave here everything I have and I'm really happy that I did and it's a great moment for me." She acknowledged the difficulties she faced earlier in the year, including a back injury and illness, which had kept her off the tour for two months, making her current success all the more meaningful.
Krejcikova's victory marked a turnaround from recent struggles, with her quarterfinal run in Birmingham last month marking her first match wins since February. She credited her team for their support during tough times, emphasizing her determination to overcome doubts and reach the Wimbledon semifinals despite external skepticism.
In the match against Ostapenko, Krejcikova capitalized on her strong first-serve performance, winning 95% of those points and securing the crucial breaks to control the flow of play. Despite a brief resurgence from Ostapenko in the second set, Krejcikova's composed play in the tie-break ensured her passage into the semifinals, underscoring her tenacity and resilience on the Wimbledon grass courts.
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